WEST SEATTLE ART: Southwest Artist Showcase’s opening day

For the next month, Southwest Library is alive with art! Today brought the opening reception for this year’s Southwest Artist Showcase, which the library has been hosting for more than 30 years, displaying art brought in by any and all community members interested in participating. Art of all sizes and by all ages!

That’s a crocheted robot by Ely Thomas; this is Scotti Smith‘s acrylic “Street Kitty”:

We talked with some of the artists, too; Sam Day, a founder of the Notorious Alki Swimmers, brought paintings envisioning two of his fellow swimmers as mermaids:

Gordon Miller‘s lightbox “Group Chat” started with a drawing and then was made using a laser cutter the West Seattle Tool Library used to have on hand, he told us:

Charlie Harris is showing work he made from what he describes as “scraps” – even part of an old coffee card:

There’s so much more to see, all around the library shelves, and you have all month (actually, through Nov. 2) to visit. Library days/hours are here. (Thanks to Southwest Library’s Bean Yogi for introducing us to some of the artists during our brief visit today – we hope to return later in the month to admire more of the art!)

5 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE ART: Southwest Artist Showcase's opening day"

  • SW Librarian October 5, 2025 (3:58 pm)

    It was wonderful to see you at the reception, WSB — thank you so much for covering the showcase and highlighting some of the incredible artists who entrust us with their work.  The showcase accepts submissions every year, usually at the very end of September/very beginning of October.  Artists of all ages and experience levels, who identify with west and southwest Seattle (including  White Center) are most welcome to participate! More info here: http://www.spl.org/SWArtistShowcase

  • Julia October 5, 2025 (7:10 pm)

    I enjoy this so much every year! I’m so impressed and inspired by my neighbors.

  • DBurns October 5, 2025 (10:28 pm)

    Is any of the art for sale? 

    • WSB October 5, 2025 (10:53 pm)

      You’d have to contact the individual artists. The library doesn’t allow artwork to be labeled with purchase prices or availability

    • SW Librarian October 6, 2025 (11:46 am)

      Great question! As WSB said, none of the art on display is for sale.  However, we do provide comment cards that you can fill out for the artist(s), leaving your name & contact information — we’ll hand those comment cards over to artists after the show, and they’re very welcome to follow up with you.  Of course, everyone’s encourage to leave comment cards for the artists even if you’re not inquiring about purchasing their work :) 

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